The NFL world was shaken Saturday night, as the New York Giants and Cincinnati Bengals worked out a trade that will have wide-ranging impacts across the league. 3-time Pro-Bowl defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence II is heading to the Bengals in exchange for their No. 10 overall pick in this year's class. The Pittsburgh Steelers now need to deal with a Cincinnati defense that should be much better in 2026, but there is another problem that could develop following the huge move.
Recent reports suggest that Arizona State wide receiver Jordy Tyson could be back in play for a top-10 pick after a solid workout in front of NFL teams on Friday. The Giants are one of the teams that sent their top decision-makers to see Tyson perform. Now armed with two picks in the top-10, it seems likely that both Ohio State's Carnell Tate and Tyson will be off the board with 10 picks left to go before the Steelers pick at No. 21.
With multiple teams picking ahead of them also needing help at receiver, Pittsburgh could be looking at four, or even five, WR prospects coming off the board before they get their chance to take one.
The Pittsburgh Steelers could be forced to miss out on a strong receiver group after Bengals-Giants Dexter Lawrence II trade
It was already hard to envision one of the top receiver prospects making it to the Steelers in the first round, but the Lawrence trade likely ended any hopes of it happening. It could force Pittsburgh to make one of three choices: trade up for a better chance of landing one, stay put and go best player available, or trade back and take a receiver later.
The idea of trading up using a few of their whopping 12 draft picks this year has been gaining steam in recent days, and the Lawrence news could be the catalyst for it happening. Staying put and allowing a player who may slip out of the top-20 (perhaps Olaivavega Ioane out of Penn State) could also make sense, especially if general manager Omar Khan isn't dead set on finding a receiver early.
Moving down, however, could make the most sense of all. As long as it isn't a huge fall down the board, and they ask for 2027 picks primarily to do so, Khan could still get a solid prospect this year while stockpiling assets for what should be a more talented class next year.
If the Steelers are going to make a move of any kind, however, it must be during the draft itself. With the lack of true top-end talent this year, maybe it's the safer positions like offensive and defensive line that come off the board quickly, leaving the Steelers with at least a few viable options at receiver at 21. If things play out as many expect, however, the Steelers' dream of adding a new weapon may be dead in the water, thanks in part to their division rival.
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